EP1450913A4

EP1450913A4 - Game with multi-level game board

Info

Publication number: EP1450913A4
Application number: EP02789385A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jonathan Bedford
Original assignee: Mattel Inc
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 2001-11-01
Filing date: 2002-11-01
Publication date: 2005-02-09
Also published as: WO2003037459A1; KR20040053260A; WO2003037455A3; CA2464891A1; CA2465208A1; EP1450908A4; CN1582184A; CA2465204A1; KR100556261B1; EP1450915A1; CN1582185A; US20030090060A1; MXPA04004116A; MXPA04004122A; KR20040053263A; WO2003037460A1; WO2003037455A2; KR20060107584A; CN1582183A; BR0213829A

Abstract

A game wherein players move their game pieces (226) across a multi-level playing field (214, 216) while trying to capture target pieces (230, 232) and avoid a chaser piece (228) is described. Moreover, the game may be portable. In some cases, the game apparatus (212) may be carried in a plastic case that resembles a hard-backed book (12). The game components may be based on an individual chapter from a published children's book or novel.

Description

GAME WITH MULTI-LEVEL GAME BOARD

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to board games, and more

specifically to board games that resemble a book when closed, and resemble a

children's playset when open. The invention also includes various rules and apparatus

for playing a board game, including games played on multiple levels.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Examples of board games that resemble a book are disclosed in U.S.

Patent Nos. 2,221,267, 3,880,429, 4,712,673, 4,781,384, 5,356,155, 5,961,149, and

6,203,017, and examples of board games that include multiple levels or room-like

portions are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,767,201, 3,804,416, 4,333,654, 4,534,565,

5,195,750, 5,443,268, 5,678,819and 6,170,825, the disclosures of all of which are

incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention includes portable games carried in a plastic case

that resembles a hard-backed book. Opening the book unfolds the game board.

Various embodiments may be based on an individual chapter from a published

children's book or novel.

[0004] Preferably, the housing and game board double as a playset, for use with

detailed figures and environments.

[0005] The present invention further includes rules and apparatus for playing a

board game in which players move game pieces on a multi-level game board and

attempt to capture target pieces while avoiding chaser pieces. [0006] The advantages of the present invention will be understood more readily

after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Fig. 1 depicts one embodiment of the game of the present invention,

including a housing, multi-level playing surface, and playing pieces.

[0008] Fig. 2 is demonstration of how playing pieces may be moved according to

exemplary rules of the game.

[0009] Fig. 3 is another demonstration of how playing pieces may be moved

according to exemplary rules of the game.

[0010] Fig. 4 is another demonstration of how playing pieces may be moved

according to exemplary rules of the game.

[0011] Fig. 5 depicts the housing of Fig. 1 in a closed position.

Detailed Description and Best Mode of the Invention

[0012] The present invention is a game played by at least two players involving

strategy and chance. As will be understood, game 210 may incorporate elements from

a particular theme or popular cultural phenomenon, such as a book or movie. In such a

case, the elements of game 210 may include depictions, shapes, and colors that reflect

or exemplify this theme or phenomenon. In particular, game 10 may be based on a

particular portion of popular media, such as a chapter of a book or novel.

[0013] An exemplary embodiment of game 210 is shown in Fig. 1. Typically,

game 210 includes a housing 212 having an inner surface 214 and an outer surface

216. Connected to inner surface 214 are a first playing field 218 and a second playing

field 220. As shown, playing field 218 may be connected to playing field 220 by supporting structures 222. Typically playing fields 218 and 220 and supporting

structures 222 are connected in such a manner that the assembled pieces can be easily

disassembled and reassembled.

[0014] Game 210 further includes a number of playing pieces 224 including a

player mover 226 for each player, a commonly controlled chaser 228, a commonly

controlled target 230, a commonly controlled bonus target 232, and a random number

generator, such as dice 234 and 236.

[0015] As shown, playing field 218 includes an upper grid 238, which creates a

plurality of upper spaces 240. Playing field 220 includes a lower grid 242, which

creates a plurality of lower spaces 244.

[0016] As stated above, game 210 may be based on a particular piece of popular

media such as a book or more. More particularly, game 210 may be based on a

portion of the popular media piece such as a book chapter. In such a case, it may be

desirable for game 210 to also be used as a play set. As a play set, game 210 may

include play items based on those items and situations described in the book or other

form of popular media. Furthermore, game 210 may include additional decorative

items that are not used in game play according to the rules of the game. In addition,

some or all of the items used in game play may be suitable for use as part of the play

set.

[0017] As stated above, game 210 may further include a housing 212 having an

inner surface 214 and an outer surface 216. Typically, housing 212 is adapted to

move from an open position, as shown in Fig. 1 to a closed position, as shown in Fig. 5. Generally, playing fields 218 and 220 are accessible for play when the housing is

in the open position.

[0018] The housing may resemble a book when in the closed position.

Furthermore, the housing may be adapted to contain all of the playing components

including the playing fields, playing pieces and any decorative items not used in game

play when in the closed position.

[0019] In one embodiment, the present invention provides rules for using the

above-described apparatus wherein players may move their game pieces on the first

and second playing fields while capturing target pieces and avoiding the chaser piece.

Typically target pieces are captured when the player mover is within a certain pre-

specified range of a target piece, for example within one space. However, when a

chaser piece is within a pre-specified range of a player mover, the player owning the

player mover is usually assessed some type of penalty, such as having their player

mover moved to a different grid.

[0020] Typically, players initially place and then move the playing pieces on the

upper and lower grids by rolling the dice and moving the pieces according to the die

roll. In one embodiment, grids 238 and 242 include markings denoting the x-axis 246

and y-axis 248 of each grid, thus each space on a given grid can be identified by an

x,y-coordinate pair. The indicia on die 234 will typically correlate with the x-axis grid

markings and the indicia on die 236 will typically correlate with the y-axis grid

markings. Accordingly, when dice 234 and 236 are rolled, the result is an x-

coordinate from die 234 and a y-coordinate from die 236. [0021] A playing piece may be initially placed on a grid by rolling the dice to

obtain x- and y-coordinates and placing the playing piece on the space correlating to

the x- and y-coordinates rolled. In some embodiments movement of the playing piece

may be effected by ascertaining the starting x- and y-coordinates of the piece, rolling

the dice and moving the playing piece to a second position by selecting between the

x,y-coordinate position defined by the x-coordinate from the starting position and the

y-coordinate from die 236 or the x,y-coordinate position defined by the y-coordinate

from the starting position and the x-coordinate from die 234.

[0022] As stated above, the game may be based on a well-known popular culture

phenomenon, such as a book or movie. Accordingly, the example below is based on

the popular children's book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowlings.

Accordingly, an example of a set of rules for a game constructed in accordance with

an embodiment of the present invention follows:

Example I

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone TM

QUIDDITCH TM

Chapter Game

CONTENTS

1 Mini Game Book 1 Bludger

1 Quidditch Grid 1 Golden Snitch

1 Harry Potter Mover (Red Cloak) 1 Six-Sided Die w/numbers

1 Terence Higgs Mover (Green Cloak) 1 Six-Sided Die w/letters

1 Quaffie (Red) 4 Supports 10 Customer Applied Labels

SET UP

1. Unfold the game board

2. Affix 1 label to each of the four supports, 2 scoring labels onto the Quidditch

grid, 1 Golden Snitch label to the corner of A and F on the lettered die, 1 and 6

on the numbered die.

3. Place the four supports on the walls of the game, lining them up with the

indications on the game board.

4. Place the Quidditch grid on the supports. Secure firmly to supports.

5. Both players roll the numbered die. The player with the highest roll plays with

the Harry Potter mover. The other player is given the Terence Higgs mover.

6. Starting with Harry, each player rolls both dice and places their Mover on the

Qidditch Grid in the position indicated by the dice.

7. The Harry Potter player then rolls both dice and places the Quaffie on the

Quidditch Grid in the position indicated by the dice.

8. Finally, the Terence Higgs player rolls both dice and places the Bludger on the

Quidditch Grid in the position indicated by the dice.

9. Set the Golden Snitch aside until later.

OBJECT

Have the most points when the Golden Snitch is caught or be the first player to reach

300 points. LET'S PLAY

1. The Player with the Harry Potter Mover goes first.

2. On your move, you're attempting to get within scoring distance of the Quaffie

or to avoid the Bludger. Roll both dice. You may choose to move to either the

letter OR the number position on the Grid, according to your roll on the dice.

Example:

The Harry Potter Mover began play on position C-6 on the Quidditch Grid.

You roll the dice and get A-4. That means that you can place the Harry Potter

Mover on either A-6 or C-4.

3. If your current position matches one of the rolls on the dice, you can choose not

to move your piece.

Example:

If Harry Potter is on position D-3 and then you roll A-3 on the dice, you can

choose to move Harry to A-3 or stay at D-3.

4. After your piece has moved, move either the Quaffie or the Bludger one space

in any direction except diagonally.

5. If your Mover is within one space of the Quaffie (including diagonally), you

score! Receive 10 points. You can only score once with the Quaffie on your

turn.

6. If any Mover is within one space of the Bludger (including diagonally), then that

player is knocked to the ground (See THE BLUDGER below). 7. If your mover is within one space of the Quaffie and the Bludger you score

before being knocked to the ground.

8. Any piece on the Quidditch Grid can share a space with one or more pieces. Of

course, if you share a space with a Bludger, you will still get Bludgered and

knocked to the ground.

9. Play continues until the Golden Snitch is caught (See GOLDEN SNITCH

below) OR a player reaches 300 points. In the unlikely event of a tie, the next

player to score wins the match.

THE BLUDGER

1. If any Mover is within one space of the Bludger, then that Mover is knocked

off his broom and down to the ground.

2. You will notice a grid o the ground corresponding to the Quidditch grid. Place

your Mover on the ground grid right underneath the space you were Bludgered.

3. On your move, roll the NUMBERED DIE only. You may move as many

spaces on the ground grid as indicated on your numbered die except diagonally.

4. You may NOT move the Bludger, Quaffie, or Golden Snitch. You cannot score

while you are on the ground grid, even if the Quaffie or Golden Snitch is right

above you.

5. You can return to the Quidditch grid by reaching any of the four corner squares

(Al, A6, FI, or F6). The next move will place you on the Quidditch Grid.

6. If you moved under the corner square with some movement still leftover from

your die roll, then you can immediately move up to the corresponding square on the Quidditch Grid. You may NOT move any farther than the corner grid on

your turn. However, once you are on the Quidditch Grid, you may move the

Bludger or Quaffie and probably score, just like a normal turn.

Example:

Harry Potter has been Bludgered and is currently at position C-4 on the ground.

On his turn, you roll a 3 on the numbered die. You move Harry to C-3, C-2,

and then C-l not quite enough to get you off the ground! But on Harry's next

turn, you roll a 6! You move to B-l and then to A-l (a corner square). Since

you have 4 "leftover" moves, you can now place Harry back on the Quidditch

grid. Although you can't move Harry any more this turn, you can move the

Bludger or the Quaffie as in normal play.

THE GOLDEN SNITCH

1. If two Golden Snitch symbols appear in a single dice roll, then the Golden

Snitch appears on the board. The dice rolls that will do this are Al, A6, FI, and

F6.

2. When the dice indicate that the Snitch will appear, you first take your normal

turn. Then, at the end of your turn, roll the dice again and place the Golden

Snitch on the Quidditch Grid in the position indicated by the dice. Please note

that since the Snitch came into play at the end of the turn you cannot score with

it, even if it ends up appearing right next to you.

Example: At the beginning of Harry's turn, he is at A-4 and you roll an F-6. Spotting the

two Golden Snitches on the dice, you know the Snitch will show up this turn.

Your turn continues as normal (you move Harry to F-4) - no sight of the Snitch

yet! At the very end of the turn, after moving the Bludger or Quaffie and

scoring (hopefully), you roll the dice again. An E-4! The Snitch is right next to

you! Unfortunately, you can't score on the Snitch right now. It must have

flown past you too quickly...

3. After its initial appearance, the Golden Snitch moves on each player's move.

On your move, roll both d ice as normal. You may choose to move to either the

letter OR the number position on the grid. Once you have made your choice,

the Golden Snitch uses the other die for its movement.

Example #1:

It's the middle of the game and the Harry Potter Mover is back on position C-6

on the Quidditch Grid. The Golden Snitch is way over on F-3. You roll the dice

and get A-4. If you chose to move to A-6, the Golden Snitch would then

immediately move to F-4. If you chose instead to go to C-4, the Snitch would

go to A-3.

Example #2:

It's the middle of the game and the Harry Potter Mover is back on position E-6

on the Quidditch Grid. The Golden Snitch is way over on F-3. You roll the dice

and get E-5. You choose to leave the Harry Mover on E-6 and move the Snitch

to F-5, thus catching the Snitch. 4. The Golden Snitch is caught if anyone ends up within one space of it (including

diagonally). This ends the game and gives the player who caught it 150 points.

5. Once the Golden Snitch is on the board, a roll of Al, A6, FI, or F6 will cause

the Snitch to exit the board. At that point the Golden Snitch exits the Quidditch

Grid at the end of the turn.

[0023] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple

distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been

disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and

illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations

are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious

combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or

properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite "a" or "a first" element

or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation

of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such

elements.

[0024] Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of

features, functions, elements andor properties may be claimed in this or a related

application. Such claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed

to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to any

original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the

inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A game comprising:

a first playing field having a grid defining a plurality of upper spaces;

a second playing field having a grid defining a plurality of lower spaces;

wherein each grid includes x-axis indicia and y-axis indicia;

a plurality of playing pieces wherein each playing piece is adapted to be placed

on the upper and lower spaces;

a first die having indicia corresponding to the x-axes of the first and second

playing fields;

a second die having indicia corresponding to the y-axes of the first and second

playing fields.

2. The game of claim 1 further comprising support structure extending

between the first and second playing fields such that the first playing field is mounted

above and parallel to the second playing field.

3. The game of claim 1 wherein the playing pieces include a player mover

for each player; a commonly controlled chaser; a commonly controlled target; and a

commonly controlled bonus target.

4. The game of claim 1 wherein the first playing field defines a first

surface area and the second playing field defines a second surface area and the first

surface area is greater than the second surface area.

5. The game of claim 1 wherein the second playing field and support

structure are removable from the first playing field such that the game can be

disassembled and reassembled.

6. The game of claim 1 wherein the second playing field is affixed to the

inside of a housing and the housing is movable from an open position to a closed

position.

7. The game of claim 6 wherein the housing is adapted to contain the first

playing field, support structure playing pieces, and dice when the housing is in the

closed position.

8. The game of claim 6 wherein the housing resembles a closed book when

the housing is in the closed position.

9. A method for moving a playing piece on a gridded playing surface

having a plurality of spaces defined by an x-axis and a y-axis, the method comprising:

rolling a first die having indicia corresponding to the x-axis to obtain an x-

coordinate;

rolling a second die having indicia corresponding to the y-axis to obtain a y-

coordinate; and

moving the playing piece to a space on the grid correlating to the x- and y-

coordinates obtained by rolling the first and second dice.

10. A method of moving a playing piece from a starting x,y position having

a first x-coordinate and a first y-coordinate to a second x,y position, the method

comprising;

rolling a first die to obtain a second x-coordinate;

rolling a second die to obtain a second y-coordinate; and

moving the playing piece to the second x,y position by selecting between:

an x,y position defined by the first x-coordinate and the second y-

coordinate; or

an x,y position defined by the second x-coordinate and the first y-

coordinate.

11. A method for playing a board game having game pieces, a first and

second playing surface and rules for playing, the method comprising:

taking turns moving a plurality of playing pieces on the first and second

playing surfaces according to the rules, wherein each turn includes:

moving an individual player mover based on the outcome of a random

number generator; and

moving a commonly owned playing piece;

moving the player mover from the first playing surface to the second playing

surface when the chaser is within a predefined range of the player mover; and

scoring when the player mover is within a predefined range of the target.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of moving a commonly owned

playing piece includes moving a common target on the first playing surface.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of moving a commonly owned

playing piece includes moving a common chaser on the first playing surface.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the first playing surface includes a grid

having a plurality of upper spaces defined by an x-axis and a y-axis, and the second

playing surface includes a grid having a plurality of lower spaces defined by an x-axis

and a y-axis.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the predefined range for scoring is one

space.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the predefined range for removing is

one space.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

placing the player mover in a starting position on the first playing surface by:

rolling a first die having indicia corresponding to the x-axes of the first

and second playing fields to obtain an x-coordinate;

rolling a second die having indicia corresponding to the y-axes of the

first and second playing fields to obtain a y-coordinate; and

placing the player mover in the space on the first playing field defined

by the x-coordinate and y-coordinate obtained by rolling the dice.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

placing the target in a starting position on the first playing surface by:

rolling a first die having indicia corresponding to the x-axes of the first

and second playing fields to obtain an x-coordinate;

rolling a second die having indicia corresponding to the y-axes of the

first and second playing fields to obtain a y-coordinate; and

placing the target in the space on the first playing field defined by the x-

coordinate and y-coordinate obtained by rolling the dice.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising :

placing the chaser in a starting position on the first playing surface by:

rolling a first die having indicia corresponding to the x-axes of the first

and second playing fields to obtain an x-coordinate;

rolling a second die having indicia corresponding to the y-axes of the

first and second playing fields to obtain a y-coordinate; and

placing the chaser in the space on the first playing field defined by the x-

coordinate and y-coordinate obtained by rolling the dice.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of moving the player mover is

accomplished by:

identifying the playing surface and a starting x,y position of the player

mover, wherein the starting x,y position includes a first x-coordinate and a first y-

coordinate;

rolling a first die to obtain a second x-coordinate;

rolling a second die to obtain a second y-coordinate; and

moving the player mover to a second x,y position on the identified

playing surface by selecting between:

an x,y-coordinate position defined by the first x-coordinate and

the second y-coordinate; or

the x,y-coordinate position defined by the second x-coordinate

and the first y-coordinate.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein the rules specify that each turn the

target may be moved one space.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of moving the target is

performed after moving the player mover.

23. The method of claim 14 wherein the rules specify that each turn the

chaser may be moved one space.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of moving the chaser is

performed after moving the playing piece.

25. The method of claim 14 further comprising scoring when the player

mover is within a predefined range of a bonus target.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the bonus target is placed on the first

playing surface after game play has been initiated.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the random number generator may

generate a result indicating that the bonus target is to be placed on the first playing

surface.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the random number generator is a pair

of dice and wherein bonus target indicia is included on one or more faces of each of

the dice.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the bonus target is initially placed on

the first playing surface when a dice role results in both dice displaying the bonus

target indicia.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the starting space for the bonus target

is determined by:

rolling a first die to obtain an x-coordinate;

rolling a second die to obtain a y-coordinate; and

placing the bonus target in the upper space defined by the x-coordinate and y-

coordinate.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the bonus target is moved by:

identifying a starting x,y position of the space the bonus target occupies,

wherein the starting position has a first x-coordinate and a first y-coordinate;

rolling a first die to obtain a second x-coordinate;

rolling a second die to obtain a second y-coordinate;

moving the bonus piece to a second x,y position by selecting between:

an x,y-coordinate position defined by the first x-coordinate and the

second y-coordinate; or

an x,y-coordinate position defined by the second x-coordinate and the

first y-coordinate.